Soluble marking tape

ABSTRACT

Various marking apparatuses are provided that incorporate a soluble component and a marking component. The soluble component dissolves in the presence of a solute and the marking component is left as a residue that can be used, for example, to designate a boundary for a recreational activity. 
     In one example, the marking apparatus may be a marking tape that can be utilized to apply a temporary mark on a surface. The marking tape can be affixed to the surface by, for example, inserting a stake through one or more apertures of the marking tape. The user may also utilize measurement guides provided on the marking tape to accurately measure distances without the use of extra equipment. 
     When exposed to a solute such as water, the soluble component of the marking tape dissolves and leaves behind the marking component. Both the soluble component and the marking component may be biodegradable and the marking tape may require little to no upkeep after deployment.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/406,149, filed Oct. 10, 2016, the entire disclosure of whichis hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

This specification relates generally to boundary markers. Moreparticularly, the disclosure pertains to a tape having a marking agentadhered to or mixed with a soluble material.

Boundary markers are used to temporarily or semi-permanently delineate aregion. Such markers are commonly used to set boundaries for sportingevents such as a flag football field in a park or badminton in abackyard. Boundary markers can also be used to mark out territory,designate temporary parking spaces, or guide vehicular or pedestriantraffic. However, current marking solutions are typically expensive andnot cost-effective for non-commercial use, create adverse environmentaleffects, are ill-suited for nonconventional environments, are unreliablewhen exposed to weather in the short or long term, are time consuming toremove, and/or are unsafe for use by children.

Using current solutions to create boundaries, such as a tennis court,leads to difficulties in orienting the boundaries or maintaining theorientation of the boundaries throughout the course of the activity.Furthermore, consistent measurements are difficult to make unless anadditional measurement device is used. Also, current solutions may benon-ideal for irregular surfaces like grass and would need to be removedwhen the grass needs to be mowed. Some current solutions can introduceunsafe chemicals and create a safety risk and/or an environmentalhazard. Furthermore, some current solutions can be dangerous to plantlife, especially if used to create boundaries for sports activities in aconsumer's backyard. Overall, application of the above solutions usuallyrequires further devices such as a roller or other machine to ensureuniform application.

Thus there exists a need for an inexpensive boundary marking solutionsthat is cost effective for backyard or amateur sports enthusiasts,provides a lasting and reliable mark, is biodegradable, and is safe foruse by children.

SUMMARY

Various marking apparatuses are disclosed herein that comprise a solublecomponent and a marking component. In one aspect, a marking apparatuscomprises a soluble layer adapted to dissolve when exposed to a solvent.The soluble layer is coupled to a marking layer, which is left as aresidue when the soluble layer dissolves. The marking layer residue maybe used, for example, to temporarily mark the boundary for arecreational sport.

In some aspects, the marking apparatus comprises a tape comprising asoluble layer and a marking layer of uniform widths. The tape may berolled into a spool and unrolled when the tape is applied to a surface.Additionally, the tape may comprise markings at predetermined lengths,which may allow a user to measure the length of tape being applied.

In another aspect, the marking apparatus comprises one or more sheetshaving predetermined shapes adapted for a specific application, such asa sport, activity, or event.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a structure of an exemplary marking tape comprising asoluble layer coupled to a marking layer.

FIG. 1B shows a tape structure as in FIG. 1A additionally comprising asecond soluble layer to facilitate rolling the tape.

FIG. 2 shows a process of dissolving a soluble layer of an exemplarymarking tape, leaving behind only a marking layer.

FIG. 3 shows a sports activity in which the boundary is being marked byan exemplary marking tape.

FIG. 4 shows a sports activity having a boundary marked by an exemplarymarking tape.

FIG. 5 shows a sports activity having a boundary created by the markinglayer of an exemplary marking tape after the marking tape is exposed toa solvent.

FIG. 6A shows a top view of an exemplary marking tape having measuringguides, mounting holes, and perforations.

FIG. 6B shows a lateral view of an exemplary marking tape comprisingpegs for fixing the tape to a surface of any kind.

FIGS. 6C-D show an exemplary marking tape perforated longitudinally.

FIG. 7A shows an exemplary marking tape having a square configuration.

FIG. 7B shows an exemplary marking tape having a diamond configuration.

FIG. 8A shows a configuration of an exemplary marking tape in whichmultiple portions of marking tape overlap to create a shape.

FIG. 8B shows a configuration of an exemplary marking tape in whichmultiple portions of marking tape overlap to create a boundary for asports activity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various marking tapes are disclosed herein that comprise one or moresoluble layers and a marking agent. The marking agent may comprise aseparate layer adhered to the one or more soluble layers or may besuspended within the one or more soluble layers. Upon exposure to asolvent, e.g. water or any other fluid or that may dissolve the solublelayer(s), the soluble layer dissolves and the marking agent is leftintact. Alternately or in addition, the soluble layer(s) may dissolve ormelt when exposed to heat. When the soluble layer(s) are dissolved, themarking agent may remain as a temporary or semi-permanent residue orstain. The marking agent may also dissolve or be otherwisebiodegradable. Throughout the life of the marking tape and itsconstituents, the marking tape may be used to measure and delineate aboundary or create a message or graphic on a surface.

In general, the soluble layer provides support to the marking layer. Thesoluble layer may ease deployment of the marking, provide indicators foruser reference (e.g., measurement) or user interaction (perforation),and reduce or eliminate the amount of user effort needed to clean up themarking layer.

Referring to FIG. 1A, a tape structure of an exemplary marking tape 100is shown. In one embodiment, the marking tape 100 comprises a solublelayer 110 and a marking layer 120. In one embodiment, the soluble layer110 may dissolve upon contact with any kind of solvent, but preferablywhen in contact with water. For example, a water soluble andbiodegradable soluble layer may be made of cellulose fibers thatdissolve in the presence of water or may be used as a carbon source forcomposting. Additionally or alternatively, the soluble layer 110 maydissolve when exposed to heat (e.g. from sunlight or a heat lamp). Thesoluble layer 110 is coupled to the marking layer 120. The marking layer120 may constitute any kind of marking agent and may be paint-based,starch-based, mineral-based, ink-based, dye-based or be made of anymaterial and any color and that may be left as a residue when thesoluble layer 110 dissolves. For example, the marking agent may be amineral-based agent made of talcum powder or limestone and may leave adistinguishable mark.

Though the marking layer 120 is shown as a separate layer from thesoluble layer 110 in FIG. 1A, the marking agent of the marking layer 120may alternately be suspended or mixed in with the soluble layer 110 tocreate a singular layer comprising a marking component and a solublecomponent. The marking component remains for a period of time after thesoluble component dissolves. This period of time may change based on theconcentration of the marking agent in the marking layer 120.

In another embodiment, the marking tape 100 may comprise a soluble layer110 having a plurality of seeds adhered to it such that when the solublelayer 110 dissolves, the seeds may be sown and when watered, may growand create a natural boundary. The seeds may be seeds for any plant,such as grasses, vegetables, herbs, flowers, fruit trees, etc. Thisembodiment may be used to quickly and easily deploy plants in aparticular location. For example, a series of flower beds or vegetablepatches may be sown using the marking tape 100. Marking tapes ofdifferent seeds may be used to create customized gardens according tothe user's wishes.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the tape structure of FIG. 1A is shownadditionally comprising a third layer to facilitate rolling the tape. Inone embodiment, the third layer 130 may be coupled to the marking layer120. The purpose of the third layer 130 may be to prevent adhesion orinterference between the top of the soluble layer 110 as shown and thebottom of the marking layer 120 as shown. In another embodiment, thethird layer 130 may be an additional soluble layer. In anotherembodiment, the third layer 130 may be a strip of paper. In yet anotherembodiment, the third layer 130 may remain after the soluble layer 110dissolves and may allow the marking tape 100 to be rewound and themarking tape 100 to be reusable after reapplying the soluble layer 110.In another embodiment, the marking layer 120 and the third layer 130 maybe combined and may comprise a porous membrane to which is applied amarking agent. The marking agent may be viewable with the naked eyes orat least distinguishable from its surroundings after the soluble layer110 dissolves. The third layer 130 may be positioned in any compositionwith the soluble layer 110 and the marking layer 120

Referring to FIG. 2, a process of dissolving a marking tape 200 isshown. When exposed to a solvent 250, the soluble layer 210 of themarking tape 200 may dissolve, leaving behind the marking layer 220 as aresidue. The solvent 250 may be any solvent that may dissolve thesoluble layer 210. The solvent 250 may be polar (such as water oracetone) or non-polar (such as any oil or hydrocarbon). The solvent 250is preferably water, since the marking tape 200 may be more than likelyexposed to water vapor or rainfall. In the case that the solvent 250 isa substance other than water, the soluble layer 210 may constitute oneor more solutes that dissolve easily when exposed to the solvent 250.However, a water soluble, biodegradable solute is preferred in order toimprove the safety of the marking tape 200 and reduce the carbonfootprint of the marking tape 200.

Referring to FIG. 3, a sports activity 360 in which the boundary 362 isbeing marked by a marking tape 300 is shown. The boundary 362 for thesports activity 360 may be created using the marking tape 300, bypositioning either the soluble layer or the marking layer of the markingtape 300 against the surface. The sports activity 360 may be badminton,volleyball, football, soccer, tennis, ultimate frisbee, or any othersports activity, especially in which the rules of the sports activityrequire or recommend a boundary to facilitate a determination of whethera score should be attributed to one team or the other.

As described in the embodiments herein, sports boundaries represent oneof many applications in which the marking tape 300 may be used. As such,the use of marking tape 300 to delineate a sports boundary should beinterpreted in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense. Inanother embodiment, the boundary 362 may mark the edge of a flower bedor may constitute the required squares for playing hopscotch. Thus, theboundary 362 may be any marking for any area, activity, or event andthus all such applications are within the scope of the exemplaryembodiments discussed herein. Beyond mere boundaries, the marking tape300 may be used to create temporary parking space, road markers, crimescene markers, or any other application where a distinct marking isdesired.

The marking tape 300 may be wound into a roll that may be unrolled andplaced along any regular or irregular surface. As such, the surface maycomprise grass, turf, concrete, asphalt, clay, anywhere a boundary 362is to be placed, or any surface on which the marking layer 220 (ormarking agent) may leave a visible stain, residue, or marking. Thoughthe tape may preferably be placed on a regular, flat surface, it may beapplied to any surface and the marking layer 220 may leave a residuethat is noticeable even on irregular surfaces such as grass.

In one embodiment, the marking tape 300 may be used in a user's backyardto create a boundary for a variety of backyard sports. Referring to FIG.4, a sports activity 460 where the boundary 462 is marked by the markingtape 400. In one embodiment, the marking tape 400 itself can be used tomark a boundary and may be rewound and reused at a later time. As such,the marking tape 400 may be used for a one-time sports activity wherethe boundary 462 is desired for a short term.

Referring to FIG. 5, a sports activity 560 having a boundary 562 createdby a marking layer 520 of a marking tape is shown after the marking tapeis exposed to a solvent 550. In one embodiment, the marking tape may beused to mark the boundary 562 and is left in place until the solublelayer of the marking tape dissolves and the marking layer 520 is left asa residue that constitutes the boundary 562. In one embodiment, thesolvent 550 may be precipitation or condensation. In another embodiment,heat radiation from the sun or any heat-producing object or device maycause the soluble layer of the marking tape to dissolve. When left as aresidue, the marking layer 520 creates a boundary for a longer term thanthe marking tape 400, which may be ideal when the sports activity 560 isa regular activity, such as backyard sports or intramural sports.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a top view of a marking tape 600 having a numberof marking, including but not limited to measuring guides 602, mountingholes 604, and perforations 606. In one embodiment, the marking tape 600may comprise one or more features that provide a means for measuring outthe marking tape, fixing the marking tape to a surface, and/orperforating the tape.

In one embodiment, the marking tape 600 comprises measuring guides 602,allowing a user of the marking tape 600 to measure out a length of themarking tape 600 to be used as the boundary. The distance betweenmeasuring guides 602 may be a defined length 608. As such, the measuringguides 602 may aid in ensuring that the boundary complies with anyapplicable rules and/or regulations of the sports activity. Themeasuring guides 602 may include imperial and/or metric measurements andmay be etched onto the soluble layer 610. Alternately or in addition tothe previous embodiment, the measuring guides 602 may comprise any meansfor quantitatively marking distances on the marking tape 600. Forexample, the measuring guides 602 may comprise dots, tally marks, romannumerals, or any other shapes or symbols that can inherently orcollectively represent numbers. Alternately or in addition to theprevious embodiment, the measuring guides 602 may constitute portions ofthe marking layer (not shown in FIG. 6A) that do not comprise anymarking agent. As such, when the soluble layer 610 dissolves and themarking layer is left as a residue, the measuring guides may be left asempty regions (i.e. where there is no marking agent) that can still beread by a user of the marking tape 600.

In another embodiment, the marking layer may be applied to the solublelayer 610 as a predetermined pattern such that when the soluble layer610 dissolves, the predetermined pattern is left as a residue or stain.For example, the marking layer may exist as a zig-zag pattern applied tothe soluble layer 610. In another embodiment, the marking layer may beapplied intermittently to create e.g. a dashed line. Other designs orpatterns may be achieved by modifying the application of the markinglayer to the soluble layer and are within the scope of the exemplaryembodiments described herein. As such, the marking tape 600 may be usedanywhere a specific type of marker may be needed.

In one embodiment, the marking tape 600 comprises mounting holes 604 inwhich an object (such as a pole or mounting peg) may be inserted to fixthe marking tape 600 in one position. As such, multiple mounting holes604 may be overlapped to fix the marking tape 600 in any number ofunique configurations for any activity or application.

Referring to FIG. 6B, a lateral view of the marking tape 600 is showncomprising pegs 609 for fixing the marking tape 600 to a surface of anykind. To fix the marking tape 600 to a surface, the pegs 609 may beinserted through the mounting holes 604 and may puncture a surface (suchas grass, dirt, turf, etc.) to maintain the position of the marking tape600. The top of the pegs 609 may be substantially flat in order toprevent injury in case one or more pegs 609 are stepped on.

In one embodiment, the pegs 609 may be made of a biodegradable material,such as cellulose fibers. In another embodiment, the pegs 609 may bemade of plastic, metal, or any other reusable material. When deployed tofix the marking tape 600, the pegs 609 may remain after the solublelayer 610 dissolves and the pegs 609 may be removed from the surface tobe reused. Any other type of fixing means may be used to maintain theposition of the marking tape 600 such as a stake or a pole. For example,the mounting holes 604 may be large enough to accommodate any pole usedin a sports activity.

In another embodiment, the pegs 609 may be made of a solid structurecomprising seeds that dissolve over time when in contact with water. Forexample, the pegs 609 may be a hardened structure made of grass seed andwhen dissolved using water or other aqueous solvent, may replenish grasswherever the pegs 609 are placed. This may be preferable in case thepegs 609 cause some damage to grass in the area where the pegs 609 arefixed. Alternately, the pegs 609 may be made of any type and number ofseeds. Alternately, the pegs 609 may comprise bird seed and may thus beremoved over time by feeding birds as the pegs 609 deteriorate.

In another embodiment, the pegs 609 themselves may comprise a markingagent. In this embodiment, the marking tape 600 may comprise only thesoluble layer 610. When the soluble layer 610 dissolves, the markingagent of the pegs 609 may remain as a distinguishable marker. This maybe preferable to incorporating a marking layer due to the reduced costof manufacturing and/or due to the high degree of configurability by theuser of the marking tape (i.e. the user may choose where the pegs 609and thus, the markers get left behind after the soluble layer 610dissolves). In another embodiment, the pegs 609 with marking agent maybe used in addition to a marking layer in order to provide an addedlayer of redundancy and provide for a longer-term boundary in caseeither the marking agent of the pegs 609 or the marking agent of themarking layer outlast each other.

In one embodiment, the marking tape 600 comprises one or moreperforations. The perforations may be lateral perforations 606A (alongthe width of the marking tape 600) or longitudinal perforations 606B(along the length of the marking tape 600). The lateral perforations606A may be wherever the measuring guides 602 are, allowing a user toperforate the marking tape 600 to create portions of the marking tape600 of a defined length (one or more units of defined length 608). Inanother embodiment, the perforations may be diagonal or at any otherangle that may be preferable for any specific application.

Referring to FIGS. 6C-D, a marking tape 600 perforated across alongitudinal perforation 606B is shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG.6C, the marking tape 600 may be perforated along the longitudinalperforation 606B such that unjoined ends may be used to tie around apole 670. The pole 670 may instead be a stake or any other fixed object.In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6D, the marking tape 600 may beperforated along the longitudinal perforation 606B such that the markingtape 600 may be used to position a pole 670 between the two sides of themarking tape 600. As such, the marking tape 600 may be pulled along itslength to reposition the marking tape 600 longitudinally without havingto remove any pegs 609 that may be used to fix the position of themarking tape 600.

The marking tape may be expanded to marking sheets of any shape and/orsize. Referring to FIGS. 7A-B, a marking sheet 700A may be square-shapedand may comprise mounting holes 702A at the corners of the marking sheet700A. For example, marking sheet 700A may be used as a baseball base.Another example may be marking sheet 700B which is diamond-shaped, whichis preferable for use as a baseball diamond. Different shapes, sizes,form factors, number and placement of mounting holes, number andplacement of perforations, number and type of measuring guides may beused and may thus be within the scope of the exemplary embodimentsdescribed herein.

Referring to FIG. 8A, a configuration of a marking tape 800 in whichmultiple portions 803 of the marking tape 800 overlap to create a shape870 is shown. The marking tape 800 may be perforated along lateralperforations to create a plurality of portions of marking tape 800. Themounting holes 804 of the plurality of portions of marking tape 800 mayoverlap. Once overlapped, one or more pegs (not shown in FIG. 8A) may beinserted into the mounting holes 804 to maintain the shape 870 of theplurality of portions of marking tape 800.

Referring to FIG. 8B, a configuration of a marking tape 800 in whichmultiple portions of marking tape 800 overlap to create a boundary 880for a sports activity or any other reason. The marking tape 800 may beperforated along perforations to create a plurality of differently-sizedportions of marking tape 800. Once the mounting holes 804 areoverlapped, one or more pegs (not shown in FIG. 8B) may be extendedthrough the overlapped mounting holes 804 to pierce the surface belowand maintain the portions of marking tape 800 to ensure that theboundary 880 creates a suitable court for badminton, tennis, volleyball,or any other boundary. Furthermore, the net 890 may be held in place oneither side by two poles, each pole of which may be inserted through amounting hole 804. As such, the boundary 880 can be oriented correctly.

In one embodiment, a marking kit may comprise one or more predefinedlengths of marking tape. The marking kit may be specifically configuredto allow a user to mark a boundary for a particular event, activity, ormarking application. For example, a baseball marking kit may comprise aplurality of marking sheets for the bases, the diamond, and thepitcher's mound as well as marking tape of a predefined length forconnecting the above to create a regulation baseball field.

In another embodiment, a birthday marking kit may comprise a pluralityof marking sheets leaving behind specific messages (e.g. HappyBirthday!). In addition, the birthday marking kit may comprise one ormore sets of marking sheets that may leave behind specific alphanumericcharacters, allowing a user to leave behind a custom message on asurface. In another embodiment, the marking sheet may leave behind agraphic, such as a balloon or a cartoon character or any other type ofgraphic.

In yet another embodiment, an herb garden kit may comprise a variety ofmarking sheets for growing any number and type of herbs. Any other typeof garden kit may also be provided for planting any number and type ofseed-borne plant.

Specified marking kits may be vastly preferable to spending inordinateamounts of time and/or money preparing a field e.g. for a local sportsleague that regularly practices and holds matches or tournaments at aparticular park. The marking kit may also be customized before purchaseor the marking kit may comprise a wealth of marking sheets and tape fora variety of applications. Customized marking kits for applying a sportsmascot or company logo to a surface may also be provided.

Various embodiments are described in this specification, with referenceto the detailed discussed above, the accompanying drawings, and theclaims. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thoroughunderstanding of various embodiments. However, in certain instances,well-known or conventional details are not described in order to providea concise discussion. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and somefeatures may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particularcomponents. Therefore, specific structural and functional detailsdisclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as abasis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching oneskilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. In this regard,directional terminology, such as “above,” “below,” “vertical,”“horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” etc.,is used with reference to the orientation of the drawing(s) beingdescribed. Because components of the embodiments can be positioned in anumber of different orientations, the directional terminology is usedfor purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting.

The embodiments described and claimed herein and drawings areillustrative and are not to be construed as limiting the embodiments.The subject matter of this specification is not to be limited in scopeby the specific examples, as these examples are intended asillustrations of several aspects of the embodiments. Any equivalentexamples are intended to be within the scope of the specification.Indeed, various modifications of the disclosed embodiments in additionto those shown and described herein will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and such modifications are also intended to fallwithin the scope of the appended claims.

While this specification contains many specific implementation details,these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of anyinvention or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions offeatures that may be specific to particular embodiments of particularinventions. Certain features that are described in this specification inthe context of separate embodiments can also be implemented incombination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features thatare described in the context of a single embodiment can also beimplemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, oneor more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excisedfrom the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to asubcombination or variation of a subcombination.

All references including patents, patent applications and publicationscited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety andfor all purposes to the same extent as if each individual publication orpatent or patent application was specifically and individually indicatedto be incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

What is claimed is:
 1. A marking apparatus comprising: a soluble layeradapted to dissolve when exposed to a solvent; and a marking layeradapted to be left as a residue when the soluble layer is dissolved. 2.An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the marking layer is made ofa marking agent adapted to leave a temporary mark.
 3. An apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the marking agent is selected from thegroup consisting of: paint-based agents, starch-based agents,mineral-based agents, ink-based agents, and dye-based agents.
 4. Anapparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mineral-based agent is madeof talcum powder or limestone.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 1,wherein the marking layer comprises a plurality of plant seeds adaptedto be left as a residue when the soluble layer is dissolved.
 6. Anapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the soluble layer is made ofcellulose fibers.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1: wherein themarking layer and the soluble layer are combined into a singular layercomprising a marking component and a soluble component, wherein thesoluble component dissolves when exposed to a solvent such as water,wherein the marking component is left as a residue when the solublecomponent dissolves.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein themarking layer is adhered to the soluble layer.
 9. An apparatus accordingto claim 8, wherein the soluble layer and the marking layer are of equalwidth.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the soluble layerand the marking layer are adapted to be reversibly rolled up.
 11. Anapparatus according to claim 9, wherein the soluble layer and markinglayer comprise markings at predetermined lengths.
 12. An apparatusaccording to claim 11, wherein the markings are selected from the groupconsisting of: width-wise perforations in the soluble layer and themarking layer at predetermined lengths, measuring guides spaced at apredetermined length, and apertures superimposed at predeterminedlengths.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the solublelayer and the marking layer comprise superimposed apertures throughwhich a longitudinal member may be inserted to reversibly affix thesoluble layer and the marking layer to a surface.
 14. An apparatusaccording to claim 9, wherein the soluble layer and the marking layercomprise a longitudinal perforation.
 15. An apparatus according to claim2, wherein the marking agent is biodegradable.
 16. An apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein the soluble layer and the marking layerare cut into one or more marking sheets comprising predetermined shapes.17. An apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the one or more markingsheets comprise predetermined shapes for a particular sport, activity,or event.